Basketball backboard and backboard support

ABSTRACT

IMPROVED SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR MOUNTING A BASKETBALL BACKBOARD AND BASKET IN OPERATIVE POSITION RELATIVE TO THE EAVES OF A BUILDING, SUCH AS A HOUSE OR GARAGE. A SINGLE SUPPORTING MEMBER IS UTILIZED HAVING A STRUCTURE IN WHICH THE NEED FOR ANCILLARY BRACES OR ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING MEMBERS BETWEEN THE BACKBOARD AND THE ROOF OR EAVES OF THE BUILDING IS OBVIATED. THE STRUCTURE CONSISTS OF A VERTICAL SECTION WITH ONE END CONNECTED TO ONE END OF A HORIZONTAL SECTION WHEREIN THE OPPOSITE END OF THE VERTICAL SECTION IS ATTACHED TO A PLATE SUPPORTING A BASKETBALL BACKBOARD AND THE OPPOSITE END OF THE HORIZONTAL SECTION IS ATTACHED TO A PLATE WHICH FACILITATES THE FASTENING OF THE STRUCTURE TO THE SIDE OF A BUILDING UNDER THE EAVES THEREOF. THE SIMPLIFIED CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE PERMITS EASY ATTACHMENT OF THE BACKBOARD AND BASKET TO THE BUILDING AND PERMITS SIMPLIFIED REMOVAL THEREFROM WHEN DESIRED. DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING FRAMEWORK OR ROOF IS OBVIATED WHEN THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE OF THIS INVENTION IS UTILIZED.   D R A W I N G

J. P. BURKE 3,702300 BASKETBALL BACKBOARD AND BACKBOARD SUPPORT Nov. 14, 1972 Filed June 18, 1970 @5 %w W T P N NU W5 a WP W 5 1 United States Patent O 3,702,700 BASKETBALL BACKBOARD AND BACKBOARD SUPPORT James P. Burke, 1510 Springweed, Modesto, Calif. 95350- Filed June 18, 1970, Ser. No. 47,348 Int. Cl. A63b 63/02 US. Cl. 273- R 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Improved support structure for mounting a basketball backboard and basket in operative position relative to the eaves of a building, such as a house or garage. A single supporting member is utilized having a structure in which the need for ancillary braces or additional supporting members between the backboard and the roof or eaves of the building is obviated. The structure consists of a vertical section with one end connected to one end of a horizontal section wherein the opposite end of the vertical section is attached to a plate supporting a basketball backboard and the opposite end of the horizontal section is attached to a plate which facilitates the fastening of the structure to the side of a building under the eaves thereof. The simplified construction of the support structure permits easy attachment of the backboard and basket to the building and permits simplified removal therefrom when desired. Damage to the building framework or roof is obviated when the support structure of this invention is utilized.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to the field of sporting activities. More particularly, this invention relates to the game of basketball and to an improved arrangement for mounting a basketball backboard and basket in opertive position on residential dwelling, garage, or like building which normally has an eaves projecting from the roof of the building. Still more particularly, this invention relates to the field of simplified and improved mounting arrangements for basketball backboards and baskets which require no direct connection to our support from the roof of the building on which the same is mounted.

Description of the prior art So far as is known, the simple and improved mounting arrangement described and claimed herein has not been known heretofore. While various arrangements for mounting basketball backboards and baskets on a building, such as a house or garage, have been known heretofore, generally such arrangements required the attachment of the backboard directly to the roof of the building or required the bracing of such backboard to the building roof or eaves. Such prior known roof mounted arrangements frequently resulted in damage to the building or blockage of the eaves trough of the building on which the backboard was mounted. Also with such known arrangements, a basketball frequently became caught behind the backboard in the roof bracing employed therefor.

Characteristic of prior known basketball backboard mounting arrangements in which the backboard is secured to the roof of the building are shown in the patents to Lounsburg 3,414,262, Naideth 3,108,803, and Donoghue 2,782,034. While the Donoghue patent discloses a mounting arrangement for connecting a basketball backboard to a building beneath the eaves thereof, that patent is characteristic of known arrangements which require more than one supporting member as well as one 3,702,700 Patented Nov. 14, 1972 or more braces secured directly to the roof of the build ing for added stability.

So far as is known, the prior .art, of which the cited patents are typical, does not suggest or discloses the improved and simplified mounting arrangement for a basketball backboard and basket of the type disclosed herein which permits the same to be secured to a building beneath the eaves thereof in a manner which permits rapid attachment and detachment of the same from the building without damaging the same and without requiring braces or supports secured to the roof thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to an improved support structure for a basketball backboard and basket. More particularly, this invention relates to a simplified basketball backboard support which my be mounted beneath the eaves of a building, such as a house or garage, in such fashion that the backboard is operatively positioned beyond the eaves of the building without requiring any attachment to the roof or eaves of the building. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a simplified mounting arrangement for a basketball backboard which causes no damage to the building and which permits ease of attachment and detachment thereof as desired.

With the present arrangement, there is no obstruction of the eaves trough of the building to which the backboard is supported. Nor is damage to the roof, which might result in leakage therethrough, possible because no braces or like supports are connected between the backboard and the roof.

Therefore, from the foregoing it should be understood that objects of this invention include the provision of an improved mounting arrangement for a basketball backboard and basket; the provision of a simplified mounting arrangement by means of which a basketball backboard may be mounted in front of the eaves of a building without interfering therewith or connection thereto; the provision of a mounting arrangement for a basketball backboard Which is to be secured at a single limited location beneath the eaves of a building so that the backboard and other portions of the support structure do not interfere in any way with the eaves trough of the building and without requiring connection of any type to the roof of the building; and the provision of a basketball backboard mounting structure which is defined by a single supporting member having angularly oriented portions which permit the supporting member to be secured beneath the caves of the building while the backboard is operatively positioned in front of and at least partially above the eaves of the building.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following disclosure in which reference is directed to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the subject support structure showing the same in operative position secured beneath the eaves of a building.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the support structure, partly i511 gorizontal section, taken in the plane of line 2-2 of a 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the support structure and the backboard and basket supported thereby.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As is Well known, the game of basketball is widely played and frequently basketball backboards are mounted by parents for the use of their children in conjunction with the driveways or patios adj acent their homes or garages. Not uncommonly heretofore, it has been necessary to support the basketball backboard in operative position by securing the same in some fashion directly to the roof of the house or garage so as to be accessible to a playing area adjacent thereto. By mounting the backboard on, or bracing the same to, the roof of the building in the manner characteristic of the disclosures of the patents cited above, problems frequently are encountered. For example, roof damage frequently results, the basketball frequently becomes trapped in the supporting structure behind the backboard, and the bracing or the backboard itself frequently blocks access to the eaves trough of the building which creates blockage of the eaves trough due to the accumulation of debris therein.

The present invention has been devised to permit easy and rapid attachment of a basketball backboard to a building in a manner which obviates the problems encountered with prior known attachment arrangements. In that regard, the present invention includes a single supporting member which is to be secured beneath the eaves of a building in such a fashion that the same may be easily attached thereto and detached therefrom as may be required, if for example a family moves from one house to another and wishes to take the basketball equipment with it. Similarly, the present invention obviates the disadvantages above noted in that no interference with the eaves trough of a building is created and no damage to the building roof is produced.

As shown in the drawings, the subject basketball backboard and basket support structure, generally designated 1, is to be secured beneath the eaves 2 of a building, generally designated 3, which projects beyond the main roof 4 thereof in known fashion. Hereinafter, reference is directed to the attachment of the basketball backboard support to a building of the garage type but it should be understood that the same is adapted for attachment to I other types of buildings such as a domestic dwelling or other structures including those which do not have a projecting eaves as part of their structure. In the arrangement shown, the basketball backboard support structure 1 is shown secured to the headerbeam 6 which generally extends above the door 7 of the garage. The header 6 generally extends substantially the full width of the building or the garage and provides a sturdy and substantial mounting surface for the backboard support.

An important advantage of the present invention is the ability of the support structure to be secured to the header 6, or other portion of the building framework, at a restricted and limited location thereof. Thus, such attachment may be effected without damaging the build ing framework to any appreciable extent in a fashion which permits ready detachment of the support from the framework if it is desired to remove the same for any purpose.

The support structure is designed to position a basketball backboard structure of conventional generally flat plate-like construction, designated 8, generally in front of and at least partially above the lower outer edge of the eaves 2 of the building. Secured to the front surface of the backboard 8 is the basket, generally designated 9, defined by a circular hoop or rim 11 from which depends webbing 12 of conventional construction. Basket rim 11 is secured to an L-shaped supporting bracket 13 by weld ing or the like in known fashion. A pair of braces 14 similarly are welded or otherwise secured between the rim 11 and the bracket 13 in known fashion for additional rigidity. The bracket in turn is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the front surface of the backboard in known fashion.

The improved support structure for the backboard and basket comprises a single supporting member 16 defined by first and second portions 17 and 18 thereof which extend angularly relative to each other. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the axis of the generally upright first portion 17 extends generally normal to the axis of the generally horizontally extending second portion 18 and is interconnected therewith by an intermediate gradually curved portion 19. In that regard, preferably the supporting member is a single length of metal rod or pipe which defines the two integral sections noted. In its preferred embodiment, a length of hollow pipe is employed to minimize weight thereof.

Adjacent the outer end of the first portion 17 of the supporting member 16 such member is provided with connecting means defined by an elongated connecting plate 21 secured by bolts 22 to the generally upright portion '17 thereof. To rigidify the connection between connecting plate 21 and the supporting member, brace means are provided which, in the embodiment illustrated, comprise a pair of angle iron or like sections 23 and 24 which are bolted at their outer ends, or otherwise suitably secured, to the rear surface of the backboard and which are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upright portion 17 of the supporting member. Thus, the backboard is rigidly connected with supporting member 16 in a sturdy fashion which permits it to withstand the rough usage to which it will be subjected during a basketball game.

At its opposite end, namely the end of the second portion 18, the supporting member is provided with connecting means defined by plate structure, generally designated 26, which permits the same to be rapidly connected with a building. In the embodiment illustrated, such plate structure comprises a generally flat mounting plate 27 having bolt receiving apertures 28 provided therein. Secured to the plate and rigidly connected therewith by welding or the like is a hollow socket 29 having a bore therein adapted to receive the inner end of portion 18 of the supporting member. The supporting member is secured in socket 29 by welding, or bolts may be extended through the socket and the supporting member to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

It has been found desirable to provide additional reinforcement between the socket and the plate for purposes of strength. In the embodiment illustrated, such additional reinforcement comprises a reinforcing flange 31, which may be generally triangular in shape, welded to the upper side of socket 29 and to the outer surface of the flat plate 27.

With the mounting arrangement shown, it is a simple matter to rigidly, yet rapidly, secure the basketball backboard and basket in operative position on a building by passing two, three or more carriage screws, or nut and bolt assemblies, through the mounting plate 27 into or through the header 6 or some other suitable portion of the framework of the building. With such an arrangement, the basket rirn 11 may be easily positioned at the proper height desired and spaced outwardly from the eaves trough of the building so as to be free of interference therewith.

The supporting structure thus may be secured to the building under the eaves thereof without requiring any bracing or other supporting contact directly to the roof itself. Because the subject support structure may be secured directly to the main header of the building in the fashion shown, it is positioned very rigidly to withstand rough use yet does not appreciably damage the building framework and may be readily removed if desired.

With the arrangement shown, a generally universally mountable type supporting structure is provided in that the eaves of most buildings project a standard distance beyond the associated wall of the building. By forming the generally horizontal portion 18 of the supporting member of a length which spaces the axis of the upright portion 17 a distance of generally twenty-four inches from the plane of plate 27, and by forming the upright portion 17 so that its free end is positioned approximately fifteen inches above the axis of the horizontal portion 18, generally unrestricted mounting of the backboard at the desired height may be effected under most conditions.

While the dimensions of connecting plate 21 and the securing plate 27 may vary, by way of example, the connecting plate may be approximately twenty-four inches long by three inches wide while the securing plate may be approximately ten inches long by six inches wide. Both may be formed from suitable sturdy metal, such as steel plate, of a type which preferably is resistant to the elements of nature.

From the foregoing it should be understood that this invention provides a simple, inexpensive and highly effective arrangement for rapidly attaching and detaching a basketball backboard and basket on a supporting building such as a domestic dwelling or garage, without damaging the same and without requiring connecting or bracing thereof to the roof of the building. While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed herein, reference is directed to the appended claims for the scope of protection to be afforded thereto.

I claim:

1. In combination, a basketball backboard which is defined by a generally fiat plate-like structure having front and rear surfaces, a basket mounted on and projecting from the front surface of said backboard, and improved support structure engaged with the rear surface of said backboard to mount the same in operative position beneath the overhanging eaves of a building or the like; said support structure improvement consisting of a single integral supporting member having first and second portions integral with and angularly oriented relative to each other, said first portion consisting of a section of said supporting member which extends generally in a plane which is generally parallel to the rear surface of said backboard, said portion consisting of a section of said supporting member which extends generally in a plane which is generally normal to said rear surface, means connecting said backboard to said first portion, and fastening plate structure secured to the end of said second portion, said plate structure defining the sole means to connect said support structure to the framework of a building beneath the eaves thereof wherein said backboard is positionable in spaced relationship relative to said framework and further is positionable outwardly of said eaves by said supporting member when said supporting member is secured by said plate structure to said framework, whereby the need for additional braces or the like engaged with the roof or other portions of said building to effect such securing is obviated.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said supporting member comprises a single length of pipe curved intermediate its ends to define said first and second portions thereof.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which said first portion is integrally connected with said second portion by an intermediate curved portion.

4. The combination of claim 1 in which said plate structure includes a generally fiat plate, and a projecting socket integral with said plate into which said end of said second portion of said supporting member is received and secured.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which said plate structure includes a reinforcing flange interposed between and secured to each of said socket and said plate.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said connecting means further includes an elongated connecting plate secured to and extending transversely of said first portion of said supporting member adjacent the end thereof, said backboard being secured to said connecting plate.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said connecting means further includes brace means interposed between and secured to said connecting plate and said first portion of said supporting member to rigidify the connection therebetween.

8. The combination of claim 1 in which said supporting member comprises a single length of curved hollow pipe formed to position said backboard beyond the outer limits of the eaves of a building without requiring supplemental supporting connecting therefor to the roof of the building.

9. The combination of claim 8 in which said fastening plate structure includes a single flat plate which permits said supporting member to be secured to a building framework without causing any appreciable damage thereto and without requiring contact of said support structure with any other portion of the building.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,193,024 8/1916 Kennedy 273-15 R 2,903,223 9/1959 De Gray 248-221 3,108,803 10/1963 Naideth 248-237 X 3,365,196 1/1968 Miller 273-15 A 3,544,110 12/1970 Dickinson 273-15 R 2,986,395 5/1961 Sheftel 273-l.5 R 3,025,058 3/1962 Brumfield 273-15 R FOREIGN PATENTS 874,354 8/ 1961 Great Britain 273-15 R 658,134 10/1951 Great Britain 248-237 23,318 9/1930 Australia 248-482 OTHER REFERENCES Equipment for Fun and Fitness, copyright 1965 by Jamison Manufacturing Company, p. 28.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner R. T. STAUFFER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X..R. 248-221 

